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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. The performance of either all instruments of an orchestra or voices in a chorus.






2. A short and simple melody performed by a soloist that is part of a larger piece.






3. A tempo having slow movement; restful at ease.






4. Creating variation pitch in a note by quickly alternating between notes.






5. The intonation - pitch - and modulation of a composition expressing the meaning - feeling - or attitude of the music.






6. A musical form where the principal theme is repeated several times. The rondo was often used for the final movements of classical sonata form works.






7. A canon where the melody is sung in two or more voices. After the first voice begins - the next voice starts singing after a couple of measures are played in the preceding voice. All parts repeat continuously.






8. A composition written for three voices and instruments performed by three people






9. The unit of musical rhythm.






10. The piece of cane in wind instruments. The players cause vibrations by blowing through it in order to produce sound.






11. Eight full tones above the key note where the scale begins and ends.






12. A composition written for three to six voices. Beginning with the exposition - each voice enters at different times - creating counterpoint with one another.






13. Initially an improvised cadence by a soloist; later becoming an elaborate and written out passage in an aria or concerto - featuring the skills of an instrumentalist or vocalist.






14. Quick repetition of the same note or the rapid alternation between two notes.






15. In sheet music - an instruction to repeat the beginning of the piece before stopping on the final chord.






16. A musical form where the melody or tune is imitated by individual parts at regular intervals. The individual parts may enter at different measures and pitches. The tune may also be played at different speeds - backwards - or inverted.






17. An extended cantata on a sacred subject.






18. A separate section of a larger composition.






19. Indicating speed.






20. A sequence of songs - perhaps on a single theme - or with texts by one poet - or having continuos narrative.






21. Music composed such that each note is used the same number of times.






22. A whole note is equal to 2 half notes - 4 quarter notes - 8 eighth notes - etc.






23. A direction to play lively and fast.






24. An instruction in sheet music to play softly. Abbreviated by a 'p'.






25. The range of an instrumental or a vocal part.






26. Harsh - discordant - and lack of harmony. Also a chord that sounds incomplete until it resolves itself on a harmonious chord.






27. A symbol in sheet music that returns a note to its original pitch after it has been augmented or diminished.






28. One of two or more parts in polyphonic music. Voice refers to instrumental parts as well as the singing voice.






29. Passage for the entire ensemble or orchestra without a soloist.






30. One or more vocalists performing without an accompaniment.






31. Short detached notes - as opposed to legato.






32. A short light musical drama.






33. A curve over notes to indicate that a phrase is to be played legato.






34. Often used in overtures - a composition that uses passages from other movements of the composition in its entirety.






35. The keyboard of a stringed instrument.






36. A style of male singing where by partial use of the vocal chords - the voice is able to reach the pitch of a female.






37. Written for 2 to 10 solo parts featuring one instrument to a part. Each part bears the same importance.






38. Movement in music where the characteristics are crisp and direct.






39. Music of a particular form consisting of four movements. Each of the movements differ in tempo - rhythm - and melody; but are held together by subject and style.






40. A symbol indicating the note is to be raised by one semitone.






41. The highest female voice.






42. The structure of a piece of music.






43. A numeric symbol in sheet music determining the number of beats to a measure.






44. Lowest female singing voice.






45. An important characteristic of the Romantic period. It is a style where the strict tempo is temporarily abandoned for a more emotional tone.






46. Refers to the tuning of an instrument.






47. Elaborate polyphonic composition of the Boroque and Renaissance periods.






48. A style of singing which is characterized by the easy and flowing tone of the composition.






49. Short movement or interlude connecting the main parts of the composition.






50. String instruments that are picked instead of bowed.